HEKS/EPER is making a difference in the «Advocacy» in Cambodia

Cambodia is one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia. It is still marked by the negative consequences of the "Khmer Rouge" regime. Authoritarian rule and a weak democracy are hampering economic development. Agriculture provides a livelihood for some 80 per cent of the population and still has enormous potential for development. Through a broad-based country aid strategy, HEKS/EPER and its partner organizations are working to secure the livelihoods of Cambodian smallholder families and boost their autonomy. This involves several complementary projects to improve agricultural output and foster peaceful coexistence in society.

Facts

In 2017 HEKS/EPER supplied some 42000 people in Cambodia with emergency aid.

Some 4500 people boosted their crop yields and of them, 2000 increased their income.

The work of HEKS/EPER revolves around socially disadvantaged people. These include asylum seekers and refugees, sans-papiers (undocumented persons) as well as people on low incomes and those facing discrimination. They are all especially at risk of seeing their rights violated or of social exclusion. HEKS/EPER advocates on their behalf and strives to support them in exercising their rights and improving their lot. HEKS/EPER works actively to secure Switzerland's protection for people who would be in danger if they returned to their country of origin or to a third country, whether for medical reasons, owing to violence and war, the lack of a social security network or because of deliberate persecution.